Is your neighborhood filled with the sounds of delivery trucks? Mine is. ‘Tis the season! I’ve seen delivery trucks in my neighborhood late in the evening and early in the morning. With all those packages being delivered this holiday season, some will inevitably be stolen from front porches or other delivery areas. While there’s more to the holiday season than gifts, it’s frustrating if thieves target your house or neighborhood.
Here are some tips that may help keep your packages safe.
Don’t let your packages sit.
Monitor when your packages are expected to arrive. Leaving packages on your porch, in your mailbox overnight, or for a couple of days makes them vulnerable to theft. By tracking deliveries and retrieving them promptly, you reduce the risk of someone stealing your packages.
Talk to your neighbors.
Consider reaching out to neighbors who are home during the day and ask if they can collect your packages when they arrive. Most are happy to help, and this arrangement can prevent packages from sitting outside unattended, easing some of your holiday stress.
Ship to an alternate address.
If your workplace allows, you may be able to ship packages directly to your place of business. Check with your company’s management to see if this is an option. Alternatively, you can ship packages to a friend or relative’s home where someone is available to receive them.
Ship to the store.
Some retailers offer the option to ship packages directly to their store locations. Though this may be less convenient, it provides added security for your deliveries, especially expensive ones, and may help you avoid long lines at checkout. Some stores even provide special parking spots near the entrance for easy pickup.
Install a package lockbox.
If you regularly receive deliveries, installing a lockbox on your porch can keep your packages secure. These boxes can be bolted down, and you can share the access code with your delivery service to ensure safe drop-off every time.
Signature on delivery.
Choose the option to have packages delivered only when someone is available to sign for them. This ensures that your packages are handed directly to a person and not left unattended outside your home.
Insure your holiday packages.
Since package theft tends to increase during the holidays, it may be wise to insure your deliveries. Insurance provides reimbursement in the unfortunate event that a package is stolen, giving you added peace of mind.
Ship to your local pack and ship store.
If you live near UPS, FedEx, or other locally owned pack and ship store, consider sending your packages there. These businesses can securely hold your deliveries until you are able to pick them up, further reducing the risk of theft.
